Are there any exceptions and exemptions?
Exemptions and exceptions - Clubs
Private clubs
Private clubs are not covered by the Equal Opportunity Act. Private clubs are those which:
- are not located on crown land; or
- don't receive Victorian government or local council funding either directly or indirectly.
Special circumstances
Under the following special circumstances, a club that would normally be covered by law may discriminate.
Special measures
If a club is set up to:
- prevent or reduce disadvantage by a particular group;
- preserve a minority culture; or
- provide benefits for people of a particular age;
it may lawfully exclude people who are not members of the relevant group, minority culture or age.
Access to benefits
A club may restrict benefits to members of a particular age if it is reasonable to do so under the circumstances.
A club may limit access to benefits on the basis of sex if:
- it isn't practicable for men and women to enjoy the benefit at the same time; and
- equal access to the same benefit is provided for both women and men; or
- men and women are entitled to a reasonably equal opportunity to enjoy the benefit.
